Overview

The Bachelor of Science Program in Landscape Architecture at the University
of Massachusetts is strongly influenced by its unique New England setting.
Massachusetts is now the fifth fastest growing state in the nation--it is
a sunbelt state in terms of its growth needs and problems--and this pattern
characterizes much of our region as well. Because of this, landscape and
planning issues assume critical significance for both the immediate and
long-term future.

Our program focuses on visual, physical,
ecological and cultural problems
encountered in the urbanizing landscape.
Its primary objective is to educate and
train professionals who are prepared to
engage future design problems and
advance the state of the art. A diverse
and internationally recognized faculty is
involved with education and research
activities in Landscape Planning, Design,
and Computer Applications.

Our fundamental concern is the wise
use of land and natural resources. As the public becomes increasingly aware
and sophisticated about environmental issues, opportunities for professional
landscape architects increase rapidly. The landscape industry across the state
is booming through historic preservation, recreation and other public
construction; in addition, there is extensive business and residential building
in the private sector. Each of these developments requires professional
expertise in landscape architecture, and our program is designed to meet this
tremendous need.

Objectives

Landscape architecture at the University of Massachusetts is a professional
degree program. Upon graduation you will have the knowledge and skills
necessary to work in private or public practice. There you will apply the
information, processes, and techniques of landscape architecture to design
future landscape settings which are aesthetically pleasing and
environmentally suited for implementation. Specifically, the program seeks
to provide:

• A working knowledge of the information, processes and techniques
  used in the landscape design and planning professions.
  
• The capacity to verbally and graphically communicate with
  specialists in other arts and relevant social, natural and physical
  sciences.
• An understanding of the cultural determinants of human behavior and
  the social, political, economic and legal institutions which
  influence land use and design decisions.
  
• An understanding of the essential physical and ecological
  determinants which shape appropriate land use and design decisions.